Hello everyone,

I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know that I’ve been thinking about all of you a lot lately. The measures announced by the government to date will be crucial to helping Canadians get through this difficult period, and their implementation will fall on your shoulders.

In addition to the CRA already being in the middle of tax season, we have now been tasked to implement additional measures to provide financial help to Canadians—all while having a reduced workforce. Most of the measures announced must be implemented by the CRA such as additional CCB and GSTC payments, as well as the new Emergency Care and Emergency Support Benefits.

I understand that this is putting additional pressure on the Agency’s employees. I really appreciate all the hard work you’re doing, whether from the call centre, your office or your home office. You are on the front lines, working to implement the measures that will help your family, friends and fellow citizens get through this situation.

At this time of crisis, it’s more important than ever to be kind and compassionate to one another and to take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

To each and every one of you working at the Agency, you have all my gratitude and appreciation. Thank you again for your dedication and hard work.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, P.C., M.P.
Minister of National Revenue

Employees who work irregular hours and are required to submit a time sheet to be paid, will automatically be paid for the period March 19, 2020 to April 1, 2020. The hours reported will be the same as the hours you reported for the last pay period from February 20, 2020 to March 18, 2020. The payment will not include additional hours worked or overtime. Any adjustments can be made upon your return to the office.

If you have not had any hours reported and paid in your last pay period, please send an email to the Compensation Client Service centre by email at CCSC-CSCR@cra-arc.gc.ca to provide your schedule effective February 20, 2020 onwards. If this results in a financial hardship please contact the Compensation Client Service centre by email.

As the situation related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) evolves, the Canada Revenue Agency has decided to cancel the automatic mandatory cash-out of vacation and compensatory leave for fiscal year 2019/2020 for all employees. In other words, the vacation and compensatory leave payouts will not be automatically cashed-out this fiscal year. The next automatic cash-out date of excess leave will be, in most cases, on March 31, 2021.

Employees can still request a voluntary cash-out of these leaves as per the applicable collective agreement or terms of conditions of employment. Any voluntary cash-out requests submitted by employees prior to March 17, 2020, will be processed as planned.

Should employees have any questions related to this matter, they are encouraged to contact their manager.

Dan Couture
Assistant Commissioner
Human Resources Branch
and Chief Human Resources Officer

Good afternoon,

Like other departments and agencies across the federal government, the CRA has a fundamental responsibility to continue to provide certain critical services to Canadians, and to contribute to the wider Government of Canada pandemic effort. If some of us are being asked to continue reporting to work, either in the workplace or remotely, it is because we are providing critical services to Canadians. Your efforts during this difficult time are appreciated.

Since our last message, the situation has continued to evolve. Today, we are announcing further changes to workplace restrictions to ensure your health and safety, and to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Effective today, March 17, 2020, and until April 5, 2020:

• We will continue to ensure the continuity of benefits payments to benefit recipients and associated functions, but will be proceeding with a more limited on site presence in HQ and the field.
• We will respond to incoming calls received in CRA’s call centres, which will operate at a significantly reduced capacity by relying almost exclusively on our remote call centre workforce for the remainder of the week.
• We continue to be in a position to support activities associated with the CRA’s contribution to the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as it relates to supporting Canada’s economic resilience during the pandemic. At this time, these activities mainly involve contributions from Headquarters personnel in the Assessment, Benefits and Services Branch (ABSB) and the Information Technology Branch (ITB) that can, for the most part, be performed remotely.
• We will, of course, continue to support activities associated with the CRA’s internal management of our organization’s response to the pandemic, especially as it relates to the safety and security of our workforce, and that can, for the most part, be performed remotely.

As more remote working equipment becomes available, over the next 24 hours, managers will be reaching out to those of you who are impacted by these changes to ensure you are set up and able to work remotely. If you have any questions, please reach out to your manager.

This latest direction reflects our discussions with our union colleagues, who, together with CRA senior management, have been considering how best to implement increased measures to ensure the health and safety of those employees who need to perform critical functions in the workplace, while helping to minimize the spread of the virus. We are grateful for their ongoing collaboration.

Many of us have been continuing to work since COVID-19, some of us in the workplace, others remotely, and many at a more intense pace as we continue to monitor developments and manage the Agency’s response. We wish to thank you, our employees, for your understanding and your continued dedication to service to Canadians as we continue to adjust to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation.

We recognize this situation is causing a great deal of stress for many of you and your friends and families. Please remember you and your family members can reach out to the Employee Assistance Program if you need support.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates with you as information becomes available.

Good evening,

Since our last message on March 13, 2020 efforts to slow the spread of the infection have evolved significantly, as we continue to face a unique set of rapidly changing circumstances. You, our employees, are our priority as we continue to balance the need to deliver critical services to Canadian taxpayers and businesses, with the need to contribute to local, regional and national efforts to respond to public health authorities’ advice and direction.

This update reflects the latest guidance issued by TBS OCHRO since our last message of March 13, 2020, up to and including the message sent to Deputy Heads at 6:01 p.m. on March 15, 2020.

Critical Services

In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and reduce drain on critical resources, effective today, March 15, 2020, and until April 5, 2020, only CRA employees who perform critical services for Canadians will be required to continue to work, remotely if possible. Your manager will communicate with you if your role is considered a critical service.

All other CRA employees are asked to stay home in order to minimize the spread of illness, and are asked to refrain from logging onto the CRA network using secure remote access to minimize impact on our ability to deliver critical services to Canadians and in the community.

For the purposes of this communication, critical services are understood to include the following (please note that this list is not exhaustive, and may be subject to change as the situation continues to evolve and the Agency may be asked to contribute to the Government-wide response in new and different ways):

• Ensuring the continuation of benefits payments to benefit recipients, and associated functions, including the processing of returns and responding to calls received in CRA’s Income Tax and Benefit Enquiries and Business Enquiries call centres;
• Activities associated with the CRA’s contribution to the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as it relates to supporting Canada’s economic resilience during the pandemic;
• Activities associated with the CRA’s internal management of our organization’s response to the pandemic, especially as it relates to the safety and security of our workforce.

Where possible, employees supporting critical services should perform these services remotely. If you are a CRA employee who performs critical services, your manager will communicate with you and determine whether you should work from home or come into a CRA office. Where these functions must be performed in the workplace, arrangements are being made to safeguard the health and safety of employees through appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Only CRA employees and contractors who support critical services will be allowed to access CRA buildings.

We will communicate in advance of April 6, 2020, should there be a requirement to extend or modify this work restriction.

Leave

In keeping with the guidance issued by OCHRO on March 13, 2020, the following will apply.

Employees that are required by public health officials to self-isolate: If in good health, identified as supporting a critical service, and able to work, employees will be asked to discuss with their managers the option to telework. If that is not possible, the employees will be granted “other leave with pay (6990 code)” as per their collective agreements.

Individual cases may have to be examined on their own merits (i.e. if an employee willingly chose to travel to affected areas contrary to public health advice.)

Employees who are identified as supporting a critical service and whose children cannot attend school or daycare due to a closure or because of attendance restrictions in place in relation to the coronavirus situation. Employees will:

• Attempt to make alternative care arrangements.
• If that is not possible, they discuss with their managers, the option to telework.
• If that is not possible, they will be granted “other leave with pay” (6990 code).

The above provisions for disruption of school and daycare operations related to the coronavirus will remain available to employees and managers for the duration of the disruption in the respective jurisdictions but will be reassessed by the Employer on April 3, 2020.

If you have any questions, contact your manager. Only if you are faced with a no pay situation, please send an email to the CCSC-CSCR@cra-arc.gc.ca.

In keeping with public health authorities’ advice, medical certificates should not be required during the pandemic.

Travel

The Government of Canada has issued an Official Global Travel Advisory (external link), requesting that all Canadians avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice. Anyone returning from travel abroad is required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. You should also inform your manager.

Meetings

Whenever possible, meetings should be conducted via teleconferencing. A reminder not to use web conferencing, in order to minimize burden on the network.

If you are an employee performing critical services and working in a CRA building, and you believe that you are confronted with a possible or confirmed COVID-19 case, please immediately contact your local Public Health Authority and your manager.

Public Health Guidance

Looking after our people is our priority. We must all follow the PHAC and Health Canada workplace-specific guidance on the new Canada.ca page for Government of Canada employees as well as the direction of local public health authorities when specific cases arise. The authoritative source of information for Canadians on COVID-19 is Canada.ca/coronavirus and the Information Line at 1 833-784-4397. Since this is an evolving situation, managers and employees must consult this site on a daily basis.

For questions about COVID-19 in the workplace, visit the Canada.ca page for Government of Canada employees. This page will be expanded in the coming days to include more guidance and frequently asked questions.

If you are concerned about your health and safety, you should discuss your concerns with your manager who can refer to labour relations for advice.

Business at the CRA

The CRA is well positioned to respond to the emergence of COVID-19. The agency has comprehensive business continuity plans in place and the Agency COVID-19 Task Force has been established. A number of other steps are being taken that will help the CRA continue to deliver services to Canadians in a healthy and safe environment.

We recognize that colleagues across the country are actively participating in the containment effort, or are themselves in self-isolation. We want to take this opportunity to signal our respect and support for them and for those working tirelessly across government to support and serve Canadians.

We know these times are stressful. Please remember you and your family members can reach out to the Employee Assistance Program if you need support.

Your health and safety is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates with you as information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.